Let Your Positive Attitude Lead the Way

Reposted from NEW BLOG page

 original date: October 20, 2014

by d_mohr

 

 As an entrepreneur, you have an amazing opportunity. You have the power to create a business that encourages people to promote goodness and embrace the positive.
Imagine a world where people actually act on their promptings to make a difference in the lives of others? That’s what SendOutCards is all about! We’re also about building and maintaing relationships and promoting a positive attitude.

Let this opportunity guide the goals of your professional life. It is possible to make a difference in people’s lives! And it all starts with your attitude. Here are a few ways a positive attitude will contribute to a better bottom line for your business:

Set realistic goals and view them in a positive light. Put your mind in a place to desire success and then strive for it. Yes, achieving goals can be difficult, especially when you are first starting out, but if you focus your energy on how difficult it is to achieve your goal, you are devoting your efforts to a dead end. Remember that the purpose of goals is to give yourself something to strive for!

Don’t underestimate the power of your mind. Every time you tell yourself that you have talent and you can succeed, you water a small seed of confidence that will help you grow into the person you want to become. It also doesn’t hurt to surround yourself with people who are great at cheering you on!

Remember that your attitude affects those around you. Building connections is by nature a group undertaking, and it’s your responsibility to be a positive example to people. If you tell others to be positive but don’t take your own words to heart, they will eventually notice, and your words will be meaningless.

Rely on your optimism to re-energize yourself. We all feel discouraged sometimes, and we all run into those among us who doubt us or even try to tear us down. But successful people climbed the mountains in their lives by revitalizing themselves. They came to a point where they began generating their own optimism and positive energy to keep themselves going when everyone around them thought they’d fail.

Take this opportunity to create positive goals that will ultimately strengthen the foundation of your business, so you can enjoy the journey to the greatest extent and achieve the success you desire.

**PLEASE NOTE, we are transitioning to new social media uses with FB and our blog links. Please check us out at http://cardsandmohr.sendcere.net and register there to receive our newsletter via email with a lot more insight and connections. 

As always, we'd love to see you & connect at our Facebook Page.

Chip at It - One Day, One Goal at a Time

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”  That is the sound surrounding me today as floor tile is replaced in our kitchen.  And the banging and chipping of the tile sent my mind wandering about “chipping” at things in your life.  How a little effort goes a long way… the little chip to remove the grout between two tiles eventually leads to the entire floor being removed – and replaced.  If our contractor did not attempt the “little chip” (no matter how minor it appeared), the floor would never be complete.

 

What is the dream or goal you are striving for? While it may seem like a huge, over-whelming feat or unattainable goal… it isn’t. It might have been, if you did it all at once; however, what if you did it “step by step” and chipped off the little goals on your way to the final prize. It’s an analogy question used often when teaching project management, “How do you eat an elephant?” Yep – one bite at a time.

As stated, often the elephant analogy might be used in regards to a project or task – goals to have the person break down their task into smaller increments… and you can use the same thought with your business goals.

Almost everyone I meet in network marketing is striving to be a leader in their company. Unless they are a hobbyist, the consultant of a company wants more.  Well, none of us can be the top level consultant in our business without climbing the steps in rank and advancing step by step.

Look at your company’s plan for advancement and make smaller goals… smaller bites that you can achieve now.  If you are on our CardsAndMohr SendOutCards team, connect with us for your individual next step and/or goal.  If you want details of our compensation or rank advancement plan, click on Proven Plan of Action to give you details. And if you want my story of the difference SOC has made in our family after 2.5 years, please ask. I spent almost 8 years with another company and never had the team or the success that we have now... and it our goal to mentor and provide you (and your family) the same too. 

All my best! --Danielle

 

Less Me, More WE

We all have heard "there is no /i/ in team since the age when you may have stareted sports. I am here to tell you there is no /me/ in business. To be successful in business with sales or team building, you need to focus on the WE!  What you can do as a team - for us, this rings true with our team buidling and the success of our team.

Those of you in network marketing or similar business understand that half your business is in sales and the other half is related to your team... and you'll see this as a reflection of your ability to coach, teach and mentor.

Some things for you to think about: What are you offering your team? Office hours? Emails? Training? Samples? Models? How does your personal business look like? As we have learned with our children, we get a better response / action when we "do what we say" ourselves and not just expect our children to do it without seeing us model or do the same action required.

I write the blog for many mompreneurs across the board (regardless of our companies), we are all trying to do the same juggle between business and family. IF you are part of our CardsAndMohr team, you will never see us ask you something that we are not willing to do ourselves.  And you'll find the same as you team build your own success unit and team.

Just keep striving to make a difference - not only for your family, but for your entire team. I will tell you, if feels great to meet personal goals and shower your family with abundance; however, there is something more powerful that feels FANTASTIC to celebrate your team doing the same... from that first sale, recruit, promotion, walk across a stage, etc.

We are always here to serve you. We just summed up the first half of 2012 - here is to your goals for the next six months. Shoot for the Moon!!!!  Sincerely, Danielle & Tim

Got Accountability?

Not a big post today, but simple question and encouragement.  What are you doing for accountability for your business? Do you have an accountability partner? While your family is great support, I'd recommend an accountability partner outside of your family - the person can be, but doesn't have to be in your same business.

The accountability factor is just that... we do more when we know someone else is watching, monitoring or doing the same thing. Case in point - I did NOT want to go to the gym today. For some reason my to-do list seem never ending and I had a couple other excuses I could have pulled out instead of showing up for my hour session at the gym.  Why did I get there? Because the group of gals I work out would be there - and if they could be there, I could be there. It would have been so easy to skip, but because I knew these gals were counting on me, I was going to be there.

The same is for your business... Maybe you and your accountability partner swap data: phone calls, shows, opportunity, meetings/1-on-1s, demos, etc... whatever is specific to your company.  Just connect and start checking in with each other. It's great motivation, self-competition, and you WILL do something business related because you don't want to report "nothing."

How would a little extra effort change your business? For me, it is huge - I see it! When I'm on and working my business (for an incentive or self-motivation like a trip), it is completely different than the days that I just sit 'waiting for business' to come to me.  Work smarter, not harder, get an accountability partner, and give 30 extra minutes a day... you will be on FIRE!

Shoot for the Moon,
Danielle

New Year: Commit to You & Your Biz

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  So glad you guys are writing your goals. In this You-Tube video clip I talk about the committment to your business for one year.  I'll write more in January (esp after my trip next week), but commit to your business and yourself for one year - ride the ups and downs and see how the Law of Averages prevails.

With SendOutCards and any direct sales biz, you need to be in it for a year to be competent and profitable and by 3 years, you will find yourself replacing your j-o-b income.... Work it side-by-side until then...

2012 will be your best yet... with your committement.
Shoot for the Moon! --Danielle

Road Map to Your Goals in 7 Steps

Here it is... December 30th.... Do you know where your 2012 Goals are?  IF not, take a minute to think about these statements/steps as you write your goals for the new year.

  

1. Make sure the goal you are working for is something you really want, not just something that sounds good. When setting goals it is very important to remember that your goals must be consistent with your values.

2. A goal cannot contradict any of your other goals. For example, you can’t buy a $750,000 house if your income goal is only $50,000 per year. This is called non-integrated thinking and will sabotage all of the hard work you put into your goals.

3. Develop goals in the 6 areas of life: Family and Home, Financial and Career, Spiritual and Ethical, Physical and Health. Social and Cultural, Mental and Educational. Setting goals in each area of life will ensure a more balanced life as you begin to examine and change the fundamentals of everyday living.

4. Write your goal in the positive instead of the negative. Work for what you want, not for what you want to leave behind. Part of the reason why we write down and examine our goals is to create a set of instructions for our subconscious mind to carry out. The more positive instructions you give it, the more positive results you will get.

5. Write your goal out in complete detail. Once again we are giving the subconscious mind a detailed set of instructions to work on. The more information you give it, the more clearer the final outcome becomes. The more precise the outcome, the more efficient the subconscious mind can become.

6. By all means, make sure your goal is high enough. Shoot for the moon, if you miss you’ll still be in the stars.

7. This is the most important, write down your goals. Writing down your goals creates the roadmap to your success. Although just the act of writing them down can set the process in motion, it is also extremely important to review your goals frequently. Remember, the more focused you are on your goals the more likely you are to accomplish them.

2011 was amazing! May your new year be filled with opportunities and abundance. All my best as you shoot for the moon. <3 Danielle

Do you still believe?

Wow! I knew I was struggling to write since tragedy took a friend in November, but I apologize for my absence.  Well, a full day (from 12-8pm) free of technology and filled with great fun. Returned from morning sports and put our pajamas back on.  Ordered pizza, made popcorn, and settled in for a holiday movie marathon.

The movie watching concluded with "The Polar Express."  And I want to leave you these words as you think about 2012... what are your goals... where do you want to be... what is your dream....

From "The Polar Express"   One thing about trains... It doesn’t matter where they’re going. What matters is deciding to get on."

Do you still hear the bell ring? Do you still believe? This Christmas and always, don't forget to DREAM! ♥

Excitement & Can't Sleep

Have you ever been so excited that you can't go to sleep? I guess that is me tonight. We had a great team call and shared the scoop from the SendOutCards convention in August. All I can say to quote Martin Luther King, Jr. "The time is now."  WOW!  Eric Worre shared at conventiond that SOC is at the tipping point of success.  Although we joke about SOCs comparison to Netflix, it is true. If you knew what you knew about Netflix years ago and that you'd be making $ on every DVD sent out, you would have joined.  Well, that is the time with SendOutCards.

While we all judge our succes differently, we all have goals. (Refer that that Blog entry.) Look at the position in your company, look at the volume or sales.... How are you working your business? Are you treating it like a business or are you treating it like a hobby?  You will paid appropriately. 

Whatever your goals, what would happen if you doubled your efforts?  What if you sent 2 cards a day vs. one, what if you sent 2 gifts a week vs. one... what if you did double the gift-account walk-thrus..?  How would your business be different?  We all have motivation.  If a child was sick and you needed $ money, you'd work your business differently to achieve it... How can you use that same idea of motivation for goals to reach those you've set?

We've challenged ourselves and I challenge you to see what you can do for your business within the next three months... yep, 90 days!  How can you double your efforts to double your rewards?

We are here! Yes, we cheer you on; however, we are here to coach, brainstorm and help you achieve your goals as you shoot for the moon.

All our best,

Danielle

SMARTER Goal Setting

It seems we have more success when we review our month of action – here we reflect and revise.  We take a look and evaluate if we achieved the goals set for this month.  Then we edit as necessary – maybe we need to be more realistic or maybe we need to stretch and challenge ourselves a bit more. The most important thing we can do is to keep moving forward and set new monthly goals & action items.  (Remember the “Just Keep Swimming” blog entry. J)

Goal Setting – it’s something we all want to do, but sometimes don’t know how to get started.  Take a moment to write your goals you want to achieve… make a list…. business, personal, family or financial goals.  When you have a list, prioritize your goals – more than one item can be #1.  But after you have prioritized the goals, the next step is a bit tougher.  Why are these goals so important? If you achieve these goals, what does it mean to you? To your family?  There is probably more than one answer to that question.

So, how to begin – just think “SMARTER.”

• S=Specific
• M=Measurable
• A=Action oriented
• R=Realistic
• T=Time deadline
• E=Excuses
• R= Reward 

The first step, write SPECIFIC goals – if you give clarity to your goal, you give clarity to your mind, your partner/family and know what is expected. 

Make your goals MEASUREABLE – if you don’t measure the goal, it is only an intention.  Perhaps your measure is in weight (pounds), finances (manicure or car payment), or time.

There are steps that will help your goal be ACTION oriented.  How are others energized by your goal? These others don’t need to know where you are heading; however, you need to.  I totally believe in an Accountability Partner, so if you don’t have one – get one. J This could be someone to check in with for miles walked, a meet-up at the gym, phone calls or meetings – anything, but we seem to follow-thru when we are accountable to someone other than just ourselves.

All goals are achievable. And we are a “Shoot for the Moon” family, but in all the goals we’ve created, we always make them REALISTIC.  Look at your goals, say them aloud and attain them – stating you want to make $500/month is realistic and achievable to pay for your car payment.  Your subconscious will support this statement & goal more than if you shoot for $1M this month before you hit the other realistic goals. Given the TIME deadline & your resources, are you likely to reach this – keep your goal high enough to stretch, but realistic to obtain.

Speaking of TIME deadlines, do you have a specific date to complete or earn the goal? You can also break the goal down into steps or smaller accomplishments to gauge progress.  Members of our CardsAndMohr team do this – whether than have been with us for a week or a year.  Some of our business goals are now goals for our team. We love coaching others to success.

Now for EXCUSES, get rid of them!  You are the only one standing in front of your success.

And finally, remember to REWARD yourself and your family, after-all your partner & family have been supportive in achieving these goals.

Remember just as you have the goals and action items, you must do just that…. take action every day. For those of us in SendOutCards, it is as easy as sending a heart-felt card a day, a gift a week or doing a gift-account walk-thru in person, phone or Skype session.  And while you are taking action, keep yourself accountable. As mentioned, use an accountability partner or journal about your activities or keep a scorecard.  SendOutCard has a great scorecard called the “Daily 8” and it a great reminder for my action items & keeps our eye on the prize (goal). 

Finally, with all this talk of scorecards, goals, etc… Sign Your Name… Yep, sign on the dotted line below your goals.  Make a commitment to your goal, your business, your family, and your future.  Now shoot for the moon – we are here to help along the way… consider us your Success Coach. Sincerely, Danielle & Tim

Advice for Grads & Reminders for the Rest of Us

The past month we’ve been helping families create and send numerous graduation cards.  I think the unique ability to create their own cards with as many photos as they desired set their invitations apart.  As we celebrate the 2011 graduates, I have flashbacks to my own commencements… high school, college and graduate school.  It sounds cliché, but the statements of “Live your dreams” or “You are in control of your destiny” are pretty prominent and very true as we have the future in our hands. We make our own decisions.

There was a commencement address of from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who told the graduates of the Boston College School of Law, “My advice to you is to stay optimistic. Things usually have a way of working out.”  Again, it’s cliché to say; however, it is very true - the future is not like it used to be.  No longer do you need to work 40 hours a week for forty years… I really enjoyed the book, “The Business of the 21^st Century” by Rich Dad Poor Dad author, Robert T. Kiyosaki.  He makes great statements and questions – and sums it up by saying ‘you need to take charge of your future by taking control of your income source – today! You need your own business.”

If you’re like us, you might think “Oh, really?” How am I going to have my own business?  Well, Mr. Kiyosaki, our family and numerous others would tell you to look at Direct Sales or Network Marketing.  As we’ve blogged (see archive), you need to research the businesses you are interested in and consider – their history and their future… including their competition.  We have our story and so do many other entrepreneurs in other business; it’s finding what is best for you… for your family.

If I could add other nuggets, it would be:

(1) It’s going to take work. Just like any j-o-b, you will have to work for your goals; however, in direct sales (network marketing) there is no ceiling.  You can achieve more than the one who sponsored you… you don’t have to wait for someone to retire to advance in this business.
(2) Don’t be afraid of failure. I wish I could immediately put my hands on the quote about Edison and the numerous times he failed with the light bulb or Michael Jordan and the missed shots.  It basically said, “I succeed because I failed.”  [I’m sure one of you will find the full quotes for me.]
(3) Don’t hesitate to take a leap of faith… if you’ve heard a “WHAT IF” whisper – maybe you take it.  You don’t have to leave your j-o-b while you start a direct sales position… and sometimes it fits well with your current position.  But if you have goals to leave your j-o-b, then make goals… perhaps you start off to make $X/month to equal your current salary and then your next goal is to double that… and so forth. 

I will tell you after being in direct sales for nine years and only one year with SendOutCards, this is the best opportunity I have ever been part of.  I am blessed to be home with our three boys and be present for all their school, sports and extra-curricular events.  I add to our budget with a real income and save for splurges like vacations and weekend fun.  We have a team of men and women who I am empower and providing opportunities that they never thought possible.  And if you know Tim or I personally, then you know how our CardsAndMohr team’s success means more than any personal success we attain.  Seeing others obtain freedom – time, money and stress warms my heart. It's like our proud parent moments in regards to sponsoring. 

Maybe you’ve heard the “WHAT IF” whisper… maybe you had a fleeting thought for an idea… there is no better time to try it than right now. If you are inspired by an idea, follow it.  As my dear biology teacher, coach and mentor used to say “should of, could of, would of never won a ball game.  Don’t wait – your time is now.  Always here to help and cheering you on - Danielle

Just Keep Swimming

Today at our son’s swimming lessons, I heard myself tell the big boys to “just keep swimming.” Of course, that quote ties us back to the movie Finding Nemo from 2003.  Find the video on You-Tube or follow along the script below – and I’m going to bet you hear yourself singing.  J

Dory: Hey there, Mr. Grumpy Gills. When life gets you down do you wanna know what you've gotta do?
Marlin: No I don't wanna know.
Dory: [singing] Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.
Marlin: Dory, no singing.
Dory: [continuing] Ha, ha, ha, ha, ho. I love to swim. When you want to swim you want to swim.

Again, another powerful lesson my kiddos (or at least their movie) seem to have taught us today.  And of course, I want to pass on these moments to our CardsAndMohr team and others reading who have their own businesses – especially other mompreneurs in direct sales.  The quote is simple, but by ‘just keep swimming’ you are ready for the entire race – not just the marathon.  We often need reminders of such in business.  I’ve seen so many friends and acquaintances start a direct sales business with a burst of energy… and then after exhausting their immediate circle of family and friends, they’ve run out of prospects. 

There are so many ways to continue this blog.  I could write about your target audience of customers – unlike those of us in Send Out Cards, perhaps your audience has been narrowed to one gender and even slimmer with or without children.  I could write about the “WHY” – Why or what is the reason you chose the business or want to have your own business?  When you know your WHY and if it’s strong, you will “just keep swimming” towards your goal because of your WHY. Despite all the challenges he faced during the course of the movie, Marlin kept swimming to find Nemo.  Finding Nemo was Marlin’s WHY – and he wasn’t going to stop until he was reunited with his son. 

When we ask our Send Out Cards team members for their WHY statement, often the first response is money (or time).  But we ask more questions and dig deeper and break it down– what will money or time bring you? Make $X a month… WHY? …to quit job… WHY? ...because I want to be home with my family (kiddos)… WHY? …because I want to enjoy all these family moments.  When you “just keep swimming,” you don’t lose track of your goal; you keep your focus just as Marlin did.  Sure, Dory got a little distracted – and so may you, your partner/spouse or even your downline, but tomorrow is another day and a chance to improved, refocus and recommit to your goal.  Use your Sponsor or Accountability Partner to help you stay on course for your goals. 

As someone who has been in the business for nine years, I would tell you to remember your goals and “just keep swimming.” It is not a race and really is about the law of averages. You need to give yourself at least six months to make your relationships strong; and really a year is a good ride.  And remember on days that you struggle, “just keep swimming” and you will pass the difficulty and be one step closer to your goal(s).  Always cheering you on - Danielle

Play til the Whistle Blows

It’s time for the NBA Playoffs and we are excited to see the Dallas Mavericks back in the finals.  Watching Game 2 last night was not pretty and we saw (read on FB) lots of friends sign off and ‘give up’ on the game to go to bed.  These friends just assumed that it was over and the Mavs were going to lose… what happened?  The Mavs launched a comeback and won Game 2 on a last second shot; now the series is tied 1-1 and the Mavs have a chance to win the next three at home and claim the championship. 

What a great lesson for all of us – you, me, our kids in this game of life. We should play every day like its game day and play TIL THE WHISTLE BLOWS!  How different the outcome would have been if any of the players decided in their minds that the game was over when they were down.  You (and your personal voice) are sometimes your biggest obstacle.  Get rid of that self-defeating voice and believe in yourself just like we believe in you.  No matter your business, make your goals and keep pursuing them. For anyone on our team, please share them with Tim or I – or another accountability partner, your spouse, your family. When others know your goal, they will help you stay in the game and achieve that success.

Sure, we all have good days and not so-good days, but remember tomorrow is another day.  You’ll see ups and downs in business too, but you’re in it for the long run. You do not start a business with a ‘get rich quick’ mentality. All the practice and time you’ve put into your relationships will be rewarded – I constantly share this with our Send Out Cards team. I spent eight years in another direct sales company and never have seen the success we’ve had with Send Out Cards in one year. It’s all about the Law of Averages and you need to stay in the game, focused on your goal and play hard til the final whistle blows.  Our best to you as you shoot for the moon!  --Danielle

Don't Allow Fear Stop Your Success

FEAR – It’s a little word, but somehow has big power.  I noticed that today with my 6-year old and the trip to the dentist to have a cavity filled.  It was more his anxiety and fear going into the office than the procedure itself. Of course, rationalizing with adults and their business fears is easier than calming a 6-year old… most of the time anyway.

I once read some tips from Romanus Wolter, who is author of Kick Start Your Success and Kick Start Your Dream Business.  And what helped the business owners Wolter talked to did to overcome their business fears included the following:

1.      Taking baby steps with everything you do.  By taking baby steps with any new action you make it is easier to make changes or edit your plan.  This goes for goal setting too – have your end goal and break it into smaller tasks (goals) to achieve along the way.

2.      If you are in a direct sales business, ask yourself if the business can be duplicated to those you sponsor?  It should.  You should never feel like you have to recreate the wheel to be successful. What tools & education/training does your company provide?

3.      Surround yourself with people willing to help.  This is your team… your upline(s), your sidelines, your support network.  Join various business network groups or simply hang out with great business people – especially in other areas. You may find synergy partners or someone to give you insight on your business from another perspective.

4.      Live in the NOW.  You hear me share this in regards to your family and the events you want to do; that tomorrow isn’t promised.  This is my also a great method to overcome my business fears. I do focus on the future and make goals, but I put a lot of focus on the NOW and all the great things that happen to my business and my family every day.

How about you?

How do you battle your business fears? What do you do to overcome them and focus on going forward? Let me know in the comments or answer this as a rhetorical question. To vanquish these fears and devise an appropriate course of action, we must trust our instincts.

1. Be honest about the cause of your fear. Personal beliefs are extremely powerful. They form the basis for how we react in fearful situations.

2. Maintain a positive attitude. Don't let fear cloud your outlook. Get creative and turn the fear into an opportunity for growth.

3. Don't let what people say or do bring on self-doubt before you take action. Accept that rejection happens to all of us, but it will only impair your progress if you allow it to. You can use this to overcome obstacles in starting your business or overcoming your first ‘no.’

4. Anticipate bumps in the road. Acknowledge that you'll sometimes feel disheartened.   One of the best books I’ve read in my nine years of direct sales is “Stay the Course” by Adam Packard.  “Stay the Course” is a quick read by a great friend, mentor and leader in my business with Send Out Cards and contains many nuggets to improve your business. 

      If Tim & I can help you duplicate this business for you and your family, please let us know. We stumbled upon SOC as a business and definitely count our SOC family, income and adventures as a blessing.  We are here for you – we are cheering you on as you shoot for the moon. --Danielle

Don't Forget to Follow-Up

I sit down to write today’s blog entry and I have so many ‘business strategies’ I want to share.  Why?  Because today, I was notified from Send Out Cards that one of our team members and friend, Ashley earned the Cruise Incentive and will she’ll be sailing three days from Long Beach, CA to Ensenada, Mexico.   Tim laughed at me (in a supportive way) as I was more excited to see Ashley succeed than I was when I heard I made the trip earlier in May.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled to be on the cruise and will get my passport renewed ASAP; however, it was seeing someone on our team succeed to the next level.

I do feel like a big sister who supports those ‘younger’ than me in our business.  I don’t know all the answers, but I will share what works and what hasn’t. The biggest challenge for many is in goal setting – I’ll sit down and write the specific goal and then work backwards and make smaller steps. 

For example, Ashley knew her goal…. The Cruise – She knew what it took to earn the Cruise (She’d need to sign five new distributors) – And she knew the deadline (May 23).  And before Ashley would achieve signing five new distributors and earning the cruise, she needed to sign her first distributor.  Yep, that’s right – in a month’s time, Ashley signed five new people into the business.  A win-win for both the distributor and those she sponsored as they now have a tool for sending cards & gifts AND just found their own vehicle for financial freedom.

How did Ashley sign five new distributors?  It’s all in the relationships… and in the follow-up.  Just like our business, those on our team and others within the SOC family, we believe in the relationships and how can we help you utilize this tool… for personal or business needs.  The fortune is in the follow-up… you’ve heard this no matter what your business is and you’ve seen the outcome.  Using Send Out Cards for customer & client follow-up, as a warm marketing tool and for personal relationships will make an impact.  Ashley had made lot of connections and built relationships, she then tackled the fear of follow-up... and thank goodness she did.  She followed up with those who had expressed an interest - and tada.  Sometimes 'no,' just means 'not now;' however, what you are offering may fit at a later time. Do you see a similarity in your business?

Now that Ashley is headed to Mexico will she slow down? Highly doubt it – she’s got some great momentum and has a team of five… her next goal… Manager.   The one thing about our Send Out Cards business is that others can duplicate the same success. There are no area meetings, no inventory or parties.  Despite that, Tim & I are there to help Ashley with her new goal of Manager because at this new level she will see her income change; it is a great milestone and will really change her business. 

For those of you reading this – as our team or friends of our team, please know how important you are to us. It is a blessing to be part of your business and your families. I just wrote about that in my Gratitude Journal yesterday, but my heart is full this week. You guys are working so hard and making great changes for your family.  Keep shooting for the moon; we are here for you!  --Danielle

5 Keys to Success

It's been a warm & fuzzy week of blog entries, including ARK and Pay-It-Forward movements.  Take time to enjoy the weekend, but I wanted you to think about these five keys to success... your success.  

   Five Keys to Succes

     - Be Consistent

     - Have Fun

     - Learn from those that have

         gone before you

     - Never give up

     - Always improve yourself


 Monday is a new month.... Shoot for the moon. I'm cheering you on! -Danielle

Success for Business: Three Steps

aka: Sending Out Cards in Your Business Makes a Difference

Success in your business is not about some elaborate, crazy plan, but something simple.  Did you teacher, parent or anyone else teach you the K.I.S.S. acronym – Keep It Simple Sweetie! J

This lesson is targeted to business sending cards to increase name recognition, customer retention, and increased sales by returning to the basics of card sending and showing appreciation.  Our CardsAndMohr team shoots for their initial goals in 90 days – there is a deadline for their goals, it is long enough to attain them and short enough to surpass them.  But despite your business – direct sales or small business owner, set your goals & intentions, your due date and shoot for the moon.

Set Your Intentions – You may wonder why I said “Intentions” and not “Goals.”  The two are very similar, and yet they are different because Intentions are all about what you can control. If you will set your intentions around action steps that you commit to taking, you will get results!  For our SOC team (and you personalize, revise the following for your business), here are some ideas of intentions you might set:

• Call X number of people each day to introduce your business – you don’t need to ask them to buy or try, just let them know you have a business in case they might know of anyone who could use your service/products or who might be looking for a second income. Then as they desire more, find out how to best get information to them. For SOC distributors, allow your contact to send a card - walk them through sending a card. (Did you know 1 in every 4 people who send a card sign up? What if you showed the card system to 10 people a week?
• Follow up with those who you introduced your business to, and get some feedback. Send them a thank you card for trying the service.  As their gift accounts expire, follow-up to let them know and see where they are with using the system; offer to extend the gift account’s life.
• I go back & forth whether to tell you to do the following… And I’m writing it, so it is important.  Attend one Networking event each week or every other week.  Networking is great and has it role, but don’t over-due it.  Networking is about the relationships! I’m going to do business or refer business when I have trust with the other party.  You do NOT need to network to have a successful Send Out Cards business – look at how many people you already know that may not know about your new business.  Share the service with other business owners who need to keep in touch with their customers. Send Out Cards IS appreciation marketing! 

Do you know your WHY? Make it clear and review it – As SOC’s CEO Kody Bateman asks, “What is your WHY that makes you cry?”  Your WHY (reason(s) you are doing the business) must be your motivator so you follow through on your set intentions… especially if the last few people you talked to told you “no.” We’ve have heard “no” many times regarding our business and it doesn’t matter; it doesn’t knock us down because we are focused on our WHY.

Take action! Rome was not built in a day – and the only difference between you and the leaders in your business is time… and it is probably a difference in years.  We loved reading Adam Packard’s book, Stay the Course and recommend it to each of our new distributors.  Adam’s lessons may seems basic and things that we *should* know, but just needed to be reminded.  You’ll have to read it (or I’ll try & do a review another time), but one take away lesson is to take some kind of action in your business daily.  It needs to be a “pay” event (I know another blog entry). A “pay” event is an income producing action – it is not making copies. Share SOC’s service for sending cards & gifts; talk to new customers and introduce your opportunity and products/services.  SOC has action steps and plan – it’s called our Daily 8. J I use it and Jordan, Adam, Jules, David, and all the distributors climbing the ladder follow it.  If you give me a plan, AND give me something I can duplicate, I will be successful. 

DeMarr Zimmerman talked about it best when he share that (I’m paraphrasing) ‘Obstacles are sure to show up along your journey, and these are only there to make you stronger and separate the serious from the tire kickers. Which are you?”  Or we shared that nobody crossed the mountain without stepping over the stones.

Shoot for the moon – we are your biggest cheerleader.  --Danielle

What Are You Afraid of Before Starting Your Business?

Today’s blog was inspired by watching the Blue Angels fly at an airshow this weekend. These pilot fly their planes in formation and are only 18 inches (yes, eighteen inches) apart.  I'm not afraid to fly, but if I was that close to another plane, I'm pretty sure I'd be afraid. However, I am not afraid to succeed... and I'm not afraid to fail... and that is why we took our life in our own hands with our own busines.

I’ve heard from many of you wanting to start a home business; however, that statement was followed by “I’m afraid to get started.”  I, in no way, want to downplay the fear you have expressed, but I’m asking you to dig deep and find out what you are afraid of? What is the risk? What is the obstacle in your way… holding you back?

You know what, you are not alone? It is hard for me to think of a business owner I know who doesn’t fear something and I am pretty sure you would have problems finding one too.  (I’ll write another day about a great leadership activity we did yesterday regarding goals & obstacles.) Yes, business owners may have fear; however, we use resources around us to achieve our success.

I would encourage you to look at the business you have or are considering.  For example, with anyone we sponsor with Send Out Cards, this is how we get we approach it.  We usually ask three non-threatening questions.  “Do you send cards & gifts? Do you know others who send cards & gifts? Do you want to make money on the cards & gifts you and others send?  Once we get past these initial questions, then we look at the business.   And these are the questions I would tell you to ask yourself regarding the business you are considering: 

• What is the start up cost?

• What is the risk?

• How fast do you get your initial investment back?

• Is there inventory?

• Is there a need for your business (product)?

• How long has the business been around?

• And where is the future?

Once you walk thru these questions, you’ll provide clarity for yourself and your family regarding the business you choose and the why.  (The WHY – we’ll save that too for another blog entry. J )  For us and SOC, we answered our questions and made our choice with no regrets. The ‘risk’ was minimal and we got our investment back in the first 30 days.  We knew lots of friends who sent cards and gifts – and lots of friends who wanted to save money in sending those cards and make money sending those cards.

There is always a lot to consider, but do not be led by fear. Get rid of that obstacle.  Find a business, find a responsible sponsor who will help lead you to success, ask these questions and make a decision as a family.  And you’ll find that while you have your own business, you are not in business by yourself. Shoot for the moon!  --Danielle